How far is Central Lake, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Central Lake, MI to Detroit, MI is about 256.6 miles (412.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 219.3 miles (352.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 09m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Bay County, Michigan, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Central Lake and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central Lake and Detroit.
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1
Start on the route
18 m · 6 sec
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2
Turn right onto West State Street
43 m · 6 sec · West State Street
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3
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.1 km · 59 sec · South Main Street
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4
Continue on North M-88 Highway
6.7 mi · 10 min · North M-88 Highway
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5
Continue on North Bridge Street
1.2 km · 1 min · North Bridge Street
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6
Turn left onto East Cayuga Street
2804 ft · 47 sec · East Cayuga Street
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7
Turn straight onto Cayuga/Division Cutoff
95 m · 5 sec · Cayuga/Division Cutoff
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8
Continue on South Division Street
2502 ft · 42 sec · South Division Street
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9
Continue on South M-88 Highway
10.2 mi · 14 min · South M-88 Highway
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10
Continue on West State Street
2652 ft · 1 min · West State Street
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11
Turn right onto Maple Street
81 m · 13 sec · Maple Street
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12
Turn right onto South Williams Street
15 m · 2 sec · South Williams Street
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13
Turn slight left onto Maple Street
2306 ft · 46 sec · Maple Street
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14
Continue on Darragh Road
10.8 mi · 19 min · Darragh Road
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15
Continue on Sigma Road Southeast
2 mi · 4 min · Sigma Road Southeast
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16
Turn left onto M-72 East
17.6 mi · 25 min · M-72 East
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17
Turn right onto North James Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North James Street
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18
Take the exit straight toward I 75 South
4.2 mi · 5 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
124.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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20
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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21
Keep slight left
63 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East
1185 ft · 29 sec
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24
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive
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25
Turn right onto East Congress Street
2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street
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26
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
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27
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Central Lake and Detroit.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 75
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
124 mi · 02h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Central Lake and Sunny near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Central Lake to Detroit?
The road trip is about 256.6 miles (412.9 km) and usually takes 04h 09m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Pinconning is a useful midpoint, sitting about 128 miles from Central Lake and 128.6 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 219.3 miles (352.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:40 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.13 one way or $68.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Central Lake and Sunny near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Pinconning
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pinconning.
Bay City, MI
Saginaw, MI
Tawas City, MI
Flint station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Central Lake and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 219.26 mi (352.87 km).
#1 Central Lake
City in Antrim County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 1,238 |
| Coordinates | 45.0700000, -85.2645100 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Detroit
The twenty-fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Detroit metropolitan area.
| Population | 665,369 |
| Coordinates | 42.3314300, -83.0457500 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cadillac Square (-83.04575, 42.331399)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 413 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.13 | $68.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.49 | $76.98 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.12 | $84.24 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $48.00 | $96.00 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Michigan · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.